Metaphor, social commentary, and something that looks like africa

[elTwitcho]

I don't even know where this bizarre state of mind came from, but strange associations kept popping out at me today while walking around taking some pictures. For instance, this wall sprung out at me as my mind pieced together the image within. Immediately my mind registered the African continent even though the resemblance isn't exactly perfect. Still....

http://www.pbase.com/eltwitcho/image/51230840.jpg

A bit further on down, eyes wandering and I distinctly got the impression society was starting to lose touch with itself...

http://www.pbase.com/eltwitcho/image/51230842.jpg

And then this. For myself tons of metaphors starting to form in my head looking on this scene. The box slumped against the wall, tired and rain battered. The dirty environs it finds itself in. Of course then again, maybe it's just a box against a wall...

http://www.pbase.com/eltwitcho/image/51230845.jpg

[condyk]

Third one is excellent. First two don't bring any response.

[elTwitcho]

Thanks condy. The first one is just your basic eye candy so I wasn't trying for anything ground breaking there. The second however I liked because of the contrast between the "marketing" ideal of a person dancing around with extreme hairdo listening to the newest and hippest version of the iPod versus the actual real life people waiting for a streetcar. Kind of wanted to illustrate the difference between the glitzy "buy stuff at the GAP to match your iPod and designer camera phone" ideal and the way regular people actually look and conduct themselves.

Still, if it did nothing for you I certainly do appreciate the honesty. Thank you :)

[BottomBracket]

I think it is an excellent series. I find the second one to be the most striking, with the impression of stark images being force-fed to a captive public. Where else would ads be but in places where they are highly visible? The third is also moving, as it suggests what a throwaway society much of the world has become.That piece of carton, while consider trash in advanced countries, is a valuable item in less fortunate ones, as the poor cherish them as beddings, fuel, income, or simply as shelter. I'm not so sure about thefirst one, though one may draw inferences from an ivy-clad wall. Is the yellow shade supposed to be the African continent? In that case, I see Lake Victoria ......

[DwightMcCann]

Well, you're not ready for meds yet but I can see a little aberration forming! Based on my personal experience, "Don't analyze it to death ... just go with it ... it is working for you!" While very few may share any part of your vision it is the experience of the experience that has value. They are not "wall hangers" but they are all interesting.

[Streetshooter]

The second image is kinda interesting....to start
the arm cuts off on the right of the image and then the hand comes in on the left.....eye travel is great.....then

the headless person on the left plays with the head of the ipod person in the center...great play and then the real irritant is the feet in the center facing the other direction from every one elses....great irritant......I like it...it's a statement of our society and it works......
the other 2 are not even in the same world as that one......as if a different photographer made them......very interesting my friend...very interesting to say the least....don

[marie]

yes, I could see all you say about the visions in the photographs
nice , and interesting
as already stated

:cool:

[PetKal]

Here is my oblique critique (;) ):

I feel any visual arts should not require the artist's exegesis beyond the tiltle, if that. The viewers should be free to experience and interpret it in their own way.

I think that all three shots have merit. The third one is likely to appeal to the "photographers" because it follows a certain well establish photo metaphor and style...no additional thinking required. :) The second might appeal to the "MCLuhan scholar". The first one to the "social justice activist" who might see the vines as a metaphor for barbed wire and strangulation.

And yet, there are so many other possibilities...so, keep them coming, I mean the photos ;)

[elTwitcho]

Bottom - Yeah it was the yellow part that reminded me of the African continent, only a little mishapen on the west coast. I really like that you got something from the other two, as I got alot of strong imagery from them and was hoping someone else would pick up on it. Glad it wasn't just me, however it may indeed be time for the medication at this rate ;)

Dwight - I do agree with your comment about experiencing, if recognition was the prime driver for taking pictures I would have given up long long long ago before my shots became half passable. But, you haven't seen my walls, I think recycled newsprint would make a good "wallhanger" in here, it's just a matter of the classyness of the joint that decides what goes on who's walls. My walls, are a little less discerning :lol:

Streetshooter - Fantastic man. I can't tell you enough how helpful it is to have a technical critique like that. You picked up on everything I intentionally fit in there, and a few things that were purely good luck as well (that person turned right as I was lining up the shot, didn't even notice until afterwards). When you said "it's a statement of our society and it works" I couldn't possibly have asked for more in the effect I was looking for. Thank you again.

marie - marie, I'm glad you enjoyed them. I've seen your work and assume your standards for what makes an interesting set to be pretty high, so thank you.

petkal - I'm always glad to have your indepth analysis (analyses?) of my work. As always you've given me something to mull over. As for experiencing in their own way, that is a true statement that I would normally agree with, but I have to admit that the level of abstraction involved here had me worried nobody was going to get the point due to my inexperience in conveying a message such as this as well as their opinions likely being different from my own. I thought a little guiding prod might have been necessary to get my point across. Thank you though

[Keiffer]

Very cool and I like the first and the second one was good because you got the siloutttes to blend into the shot of the painting.

[Streetshooter]

Hey man......if ya can't share the knowledge....what good is it.....I showed the 2nd image to a few friends...I will not mention names...but definately very respected photographers...they all concur with me on the 2nd image....makes me feel good too...thanks....don